Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Chemistry

Durham University

Durham Chemistry is a leading international chemistry department with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. Ranked fifth overall in REF2014 and first for impact, we are an active department with many of our staff internationally-acclaimed researchers.

The Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the very best UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. Ranked in the top 10 in REF2014 in terms of grade point average, 96% of Durham Physics research was considered either to be of "internationally excellent quality" or "world leading".

Both departments have a strong research profile in Computational Science, with excellent computer facilities. This includes the university's High-Performance Computer system, Hamilton, and "Bede" the N8's GPU supercomputer that makes use of NVIDIA T4 Tensor Core GPU Accelerators.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Chemistry/ Physics with a particular emphasis on simulation of lipid membranes using classical molecular dynamics and dissipative dynamics techniques. The associate will work closely with industrial sponsors P&G, with the aim of using simulation models to understand the movement of small molecules through lipid membranes to help decipher their mode of action. Ultimately, the goal is to leverage such data to help design superior products.

The successful applicant will be expected to develop models to understand the interaction of small molecules with lipid membranes of different compositions, to carry this out at both atomistic and coarse-grained simulation levels, to develop scripts to automate the screening of small molecules and develop machine learning approaches to aid in molecular screening.

This post is fixed term for 12 months because of fixed term funding from the project sponsors.

The post-holder is employed to work on a research project which will be led by the Pis and the project sponsors P&G. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

The successful applicant will, ideally, be in post by October 2021.

How to Apply

All applicants are asked to submit a CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential. The assessment for the post will include the candidate being asked to give a short presentation on their previous research followed by a panel interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview and assessment.